Lindholm is a classic case of real-life value falling short of fantasy expectations. The Swedish blueliner busted into the league and posted a plus-90 rating and an exceptional 52.8 Corsi For percentage through his first five years. Despite mustering a career-high 13 goals, however, the 24-year-old finished 53rd among defensemen with 31 points in 69 games (36.8 points per 82 games). His defensive role is best illustrated in where he starts his shifts, as he began 53.6 percent of them in the defensive zone, putting a cap on his offensive potential. Lindholm's held onto over 22:00 of average ice time in each of the last three seasons, though, so he'll get enough looks to be worth a late-round pick in deep leagues. Read Past Outlooks

$Signed a six-year, $31.5 million contract extension with the Ducks in October of 2016.

Ices win with empty-netter

DAnaheim Ducks

February 19, 2019

Lindholm scored his fifth goal of the season on three shots in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Wild.

ANALYSISLindholm added three shots, three blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in an all-around good night for the blueliner. He has 22 points in 54 games, and is shooting 2.5 percentage points below his career average, so increased offense may be in the cards down the stretch.

Evan Berofsky checks in one last time before the holiday break with his top waiver-wire recommendations of the week, like Hurricanes veteran blueliner Justin Faulk.

Past Fantasy Outlooks

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2014

Offseason shoulder injury has Lindholm in danger of missing training camp and potentially even some time to start the season. The injury is unlikely to have a significant fantasy impact, though. Lindholm has established himself as an elite shut-down defenseman and driver of possession. He regularly matches up against the opposition's top players and still sports a career 53.1 Corsi For percentage because of his excellent skating ability and capable 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame. Unfortunately, his role has capped his offensive upside and virtual value, and his point total has declined in consecutive seasons. Despite being an anchor and go-to asset on the Anaheim blue line, Lindholm's more of a low-end asset in most fantasy settings.

With three full NHL seasons to his name, Lindholm is rounding into quite the defenseman at just 22 years old. The sixth-overall pick in 2012, he’s managed between 28-34 points in each of his first three campaigns for a total of 92 in 236 contests, all while exuding durability in missing just 10 total regular-season contests. Lindholm’s 10 goals and 149 shots were a nice uptick from his first two NHL seasons, despite the fact that his 28 points were a smidge off the 34 and 30 he registered as a rookie and sophomore. Also, his plus-7 rating – while nothing to scoff at for a young defenseman still finding his way in the NHL – was quite a nosedive from the eye-popping plus-54 he piled up in his first two years, but that can largely be attributed to increased ice time and tougher assignments on the Ducks’ top defensive pairing. It remains to be seen how new head coach Randy Carlyle will use the 6-foot-3 Swede, but it’s a safe bet that he’ll again be a fixture on Anaheim’s secondary power-play unit. Come draft day, if you’re looking for a young, durable, responsible defenseman who’s on the rise with pedigree and a strong supporting cast, Lindholm is your guy.

Lindholm can get overlooked due to all the big names on Anaheim’s roster, but the sixth overall pick from 2012 has blossomed into a fantastic all-around defenseman. He’s cracked 30 points in each of his first two NHL seasons, and has an incredible plus-54 rating in just 156 career games. The Swede logged 21:45 per game as a top-four defenseman in 2014-15, and his plus-25 rating trailed only Tampa Bay’s Jason Garrison among NHL blueliners. Lindholm’s excellent two-way game and ability to stay healthy give him a high floor, but chances are he’s still far from his ceiling at only 21 years of age. While others fawn over big-name defensemen with holes in their fantasy resumes, anyone who drafts Lindholm will get excellent all-around production without the exorbitant price tag.

Lindholm had an electric rookie year, delivering 30 points and an amazing plus-29 rating. He was arguably the most reliable and impressive defender on the Ducks, let alone in the 2013-14 rookie class. Cripes, that plus-minus was the fourth-best for any defenseman in the NHL. He has 50-point upside, but will likely top out between 35 and 40 this season. And he’ll be near the top of the defense class yet again. Wow.

More Fantasy News

Productive in win Sunday

DAnaheim Ducks

February 17, 2019

Lindholm had an assist and five shots on goal in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Capitals.